Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Proverbs 19:20
Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.
Pro 19:20
Hear counsel and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.
Instruction and counsel placed before the young
I. The advice given. These two things in the text will be found to imply all that is valuable in principle and all that is useful in practice. What is here meant is not the history of the world, the instructions of science, or the general field of literature; but the principles and instructions of religion. The Word of God discovers evidences of the fact that there must be such a being as God. It gives instruction concerning the government of God and concerning man. What is the distinction between counsel and instruction? Instruction consists in the communication of right principles; counsel in the advice by which you may apply these principles practically.
II. Look to the end to be obtained by receiving the instruction, and hearing the counsel. The benefit here stated–wisdom in the latter end–is a benefit of the greatest importance; it delivers you from the disgrace of sin, of growing up a foolish old man in the midst of so many opportunities of acquiring the blessings of instruction. (J. Burnet.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Before thy death come; which he adds not exclusively, as if he ought not to be wish before, but emphatically, to show that how foolishly soever he had spent his former and younger years, it highly concerned him to be wise before it was too late, or before death came.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
20. (Compare Pr13:18-20).
latter end (Pr5:11). In youth prepare for age.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Hear counsel, and receive instruction,…. Of parents, masters, and ministers; especially the counsel and instruction of Wisdom, of Jesus Christ, the Wisdom of God, the wonderful Counsellor; and of his Gospel and of the Scriptures, which are able to make a man wise unto salvation;
that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end; in the latter end of life, at death; that then it may appear a man has been so wise as to be concerned for a future state, for the good of his soul in another world; by listening to the counsel and instruction of Christ, in his word; by looking to him, and believing in him, for life and salvation; by leaning and living upon him; and committing the affairs of his soul, and the salvation of it, to him.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
20 Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.
Note, 1. It is well with those that are wise in their latter end, wise for their latter end, for their future state, wise for another world, that are found wise when their latter end comes, wise virgins, wise builders, wise stewards, that are wise at length, and understand the things that belong to their peace, before they be hidden from their eyes. A carnal worldling at his end shall be a fool (Jer. xvii. 11), but godliness will prove wisdom at last. 2. Those that would be wise in their latter end must hear counsel and receive instruction, in their beginnings must be willing to be taught and ruled, willing to be advised and reproved, when they are young. Those that would be stored in winter must gather in summer.
Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary
The Way to Wisdom
Verse 20 emphasizes the way to wisdom: hear the counsel. of wisdom and receive (accept) its instruction, with awareness of the end toward which all are moving. For this inescapable end wisdom is most necessary, Pro 2:1-11; Pro 4:5-9; Pro 8:33-36; Pro 1:29-33.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
(20) That thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.That though thy beginning might be small, yet that thy latter end should greatly increase (Job. 8:7)
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
20. In thy latter end Thy hereafter, which may mean in the after-part of this life, or in the future life. The interpreters generally favour the sense, in thy after years. “Get instruction and counsel when young, that you may be wise when you grow old.” Stuart. Compare Proverbs 42:12, for same word.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
v. 20. Hear counsel and receive instruction,
Fuente: The Popular Commentary on the Bible by Kretzmann
Pro 19:20 Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.
Ver. 20. Hear counsel, and receive instruction. ] Or, Correction. Here he directs his speech to the younger sort, and exhorts them. (1.) To hear counsel, that is, to keep the commandment, as Pro 19:16 : (2.) To receive correction of parents, as Pro 19:18 , as the only way to sound and lasting wisdom: for Vexatio dat intellectum; Piscator ictus sapit; Quae nocent docent. Or Solomon may here bring in the father, thus lessoning his untoward child, whom he hath lashed. For to correct, and not to instruct, is to snuff the lamp, but not pour in oil to feed it.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
instruction = correction, or discipline.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Pro 19:20
Pro 19:20
“Hear counsel, and receive instruction, That thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.”
“There is a contrast here between two periods of a man’s life, the earlier part which has been undisciplined, and that which is yet future, on behalf of which the appeal to Hear instruction is directed.
Pro 19:20. Ones wisdom is constituted of what one gains on his own and of what others seek to share. The more one has, the more apt he is to listen to what others would impart to him, and the less wisdom one has, the less apt he is to regard the good advice of others. Pulpit Commentary: Wisdom gathered and digested in youth is seen in the prudence and intelligence of manhood and of old age.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
III. INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN TO SOLOMON
CHAPTER 19:20-29
Beginning with the twentieth verse of chapter 19 the personal address begins again and we read repeatedly the phrase My son up to the twenty-fifth chapter. This section corresponds therefore with the first nine chapters, containing the instructions which Solomon received from the Lord and which he records in these chapters.
Once more there is the call, like in the opening chapters, to hear, to give attention. Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end. The Lord knew beforehand what the latter end of Solomon would be. The wise man who warned against the fool, the backslider, the unjust and the man who forsakes counsel and the Lord, himself illustrates the truths given in these proverbs by turning away from the Lord. Alas! he did not hear counsel, and therefore instead of being wise in his latter days he became a fool. The truth expressed in Pro 19:22 was Solomons portion as long as the fear of the Lord governed his conduct. He was satisfied, had peace and prosperity; but when he no longer feared the Lord, evil came upon his kingdom and it was divided. Wherefore the LORD said unto Solomon, Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou has not kept My covenant and My statutes which I have commanded thee, I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant 1Ki 11:11).
Fuente: Gaebelein’s Annotated Bible (Commentary)
receive: Pro 1:8, Pro 2:1-9, Pro 8:34, Pro 8:35
be: Num 23:10, Deu 8:16, Deu 32:29, Psa 37:37, Psa 90:12, Psa 90:14, Luk 16:19-23
Reciprocal: 1Ki 12:8 – General 1Ch 21:11 – Choose thee 2Ch 10:6 – took counsel 2Ch 10:8 – he forsook Job 8:7 – thy latter Pro 4:1 – attend Pro 4:10 – my Pro 12:15 – but Pro 13:10 – with Pro 15:5 – but Pro 15:31 – ear Jer 35:13 – Will Eze 3:10 – receive Rev 3:18 – counsel
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Pro 19:20. Hear counsel, &c. Be willing to be taught and ruled; to be advised and reproved, when thou art young; that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end Before thy death come. Which he adds, not exclusively, as if a man ought not to be wise before, but emphatically, to show that how foolishly soever he may have spent his former and younger years, it highly and especially concerns him to be wise before it is too late, or before death comes.